Or are you merely renting? What do we mean by that?
Well, for instance, here’s a quick list that would indicate if you are simply “renting” your site.
- Your site is hosted by your web developer
- You cannot EASILY add, change, edit or modify content on your site
- You do not OWN your site’s URL (i.e. the http://blahblahblah.com stuff)
- Your blog is hosted on a service like blogger.com, etc.
If any of the above describes your situation, your website really owns you!
Let me explain…
When you start out in a new business – most anyone you talk to will tell you:
“starting a business? You’ve gotta get a website!”
And that’s where it begins.
Maybe you’ll get quotes from “pros” who will offer you instant sales making sites if you make a mortgage payment to them. Or maybe a friend or relative will refer you to someone who’s a “graphic designer” or knows some Photoshop who will create a website for you… for free.
Two ends of the spectrum, to be sure.
But where will following that path lead you?
Ultimately the Only rule you need to follow on your website is this:
Its all about the Content. Make it relevant to their interests. And keep it recent because nobody likes reading old news… you gotta keep it fresh.
Since that IS the key to marketing your business online, here’s the question: who will update your content? Will the overpriced pro keep it current for you? Or is it so custom, so complicated that you can’t USE the darned thing.
Will the friend of a friend doing you a favor take care of your site, WATCH over it like a precious asset for you, for free? Let’s be real.
So remember this one point…
why you are creating a website in the first place. You need to:
- Understand who the website is for.
- What kind of website is it?
- Lastly, and most important, who is updating your website?
Who is your website for?
It is not about you. It needs to FOCUS on the marketing message you need/want to communicate to your visitors.
What kind of site is it?
If your site going to be a “static” page (like a brochure site) that just states your business name and contact info, then you might not need to worry too much about updating content.
Of course, if this is the case you’ll have a hard time optimizing your site and building community.
If your website is (or will be) an interactive site, like a BLOG site, then you can respond to your web visitors, create interactivity, and build a community around your website.
Who is (or will be) responsible for updating/maintaining your website?
Will it be you, the people you hired to create the website? Or will you have to hire someone else to maintain and update it? These are the most costly mistakes that can hurt you more than getting your logo design wrong.
Take my word for it, save yourself some dollars, learn as much about web “stuff” as you possibly can, and be watchful of where you are spending your money.
You may be happy with the details you like, however your visitors will have something else to say about that.
Next Steps…
Any questions? Comments? Did we hit a nerve?
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